Haryana CM opens gully cricket tourney in Chandigarh
The fourth edition of the Gully Cricket Tournament was formally inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at the Sector 16 cricket stadium here today. The tournament is being jointly organised by UT Cricket Association (UTCA) and Chandigarh Police.
The tournament will be played on a knockout format, with each match consisting of 10 overs per side and played using tennis balls to ensure safety. Matches will be conducted across multiple venues to maximise accessibility. Registrations were carried out through police stations across the city on a first-come, first-serve basis. The final will be played on May 1, while the closing ceremony will be held on May 2 in the presence of UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria.
Meanwhile, today’s ceremony was also graced by H Rajesh Prasad, Chief Secretary, UT Administration, in the presence of tournament chairman Sanjay Tandon and DGP, UT Police, Sagar Preet Hooda, along with senior officials from the Chandigarh Administration, Chandigarh Police and the UTCA.
The anti-drug oath was administered to players and attendees. In his welcome address, Tandon emphasised that the tournament was a social movement aimed at channelising the energy of young individuals in a positive direction. He added that 288 teams, including 256 boys’ teams and 32 girls’ teams, comprising nearly 4,000 players aged 14 to 19 years will participate in matches across nine venues in the city over the next two weeks.
Tandon also announced two key additions to this year’s edition — winners to get cash incentives and 25 outstanding players to get an opportunity to compete at the national level. Additionally, the Abhinav Bindra Foundation will support the tournament by recognising and encouraging top performers during the closing ceremony.
Earlier, UTCA president Saraansh Tandon read out a message from Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya. The unveiling of the trophy also took place. Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi, Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur and IGP Pushpender Kumar and others also attended the event.
